#TechAways: Copyright, networks & smart cities

They finally did it. Two years after it was proposed by the European Commission, two months after they rejected it and after loads of debates, discussions and compromises, MEPs this week managed to adopt their position on the Copyright Directive. But this isn’t the end of the copyright saga. Trilogue discussions can now start and whether they can result in a deal before next spring’s European elections remains to be seen.

The answer isn’t Brexit but artificial intelligence. According to the new president of the British Science Association, technological progress in the field of AI is happening way too fast, without enough scrutiny or regulation especially when it comes to employment and security. He also believes the extensive implementation of AI will increase inequality within society, especially since new technologies may affect workers with low skills. People are increasingly expecting authorities to regulate the tech sector. Will governments heed them? l

After being involved in the Panama Papers scandal, Malta is looking to make some changes to how its financial system is utilised. Crypto-exchange Binance is moving to the island to develop Founders Bank, which will service digital clients registered in Malta. With tourism, the service sector and now a (potentially) booming blockchain, Malta aspires to become a full-service locale. But as other countries move to limit or ban digital currencies, is Malta putting too many eggs in one basket?

You’re all well aware that a smart revolution is under way, as we move from person-to-person to machine-to-machine data-centric networks. In the smart cities of the future, our urban infrastructure will be connected, but how that connection will become a reality is still to be seen. Some suggest that the choice of networks that will enable all this connectivity will depend on different use and market factors. While 5G will definitely play a major role, WiFi, fixed connections and fiber all have a role to play. For more on how these systems are being rolled out and tested in different variations in markets across the globe, check out this special report from the FT.

Vision-automation technology is the future for drones, autonomous vehicles, humanoid robots and many more applications, including food manufacturing. For example, vision technology can be used to ensure frozen pizzas have the correct toppings, to slice cheese ultrasonically, or to pick pancakes off a production line. Robots that see can indeed do more. Still, technical challenges on food assembly lines show how difficult, despite huge investment, it could be to develop automated vision for more complex tasks.